SummaryOne of the main threats currently facing EU territories is to develop strategies to better adapt to changing and more demanding global trends and exigencies. Lifelong education and training conforms a main strategic tool that territories could use, and it is indeed a key component in the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy goals. However, it is necessary to establish the necessary mechanisms to ensure quality and efficiency of Vocational and Educational Training offer. According to the "European Common Quality Assurance Framework" for VET in Europe this could be measured in terms of: (i) increasing employability; (ii) improving the match between VET offer and demand; (iii) and promoting better access to lifelong training especially for disadvantaged people.
There is a need for; on the one hand, having the instruments for comprehending and measuring the components defining VET offer and demand and ensuring that information is updated and accessible for different sectors. On the other hand, having efficient instruments to work for the detection of VET needs and the promotion of lifelong learning within firms. In order to facilitate these objectives, in this project we aim at adapting, developing and transferring a strategic, innovative and flexible tool for achieving VET quality in a territory, by ensuring a more efficient match between firms' needs, VET offer and human capital's competences. This tool is called: "Tools' Pack for an efficient match between firms' demands, VET offer and human capital capacities". The pack includes two sub-packages of tools: one having a broader scope (territorial, sectorial), and the other focusing in the internal firm’s context.

The central element of this project is the transference of the ADAPTEM method, which has been developed by the City Council of Gandia. This method aims at achieving a better adaptation firm-position-worker, by making an assessment of the firm's formative needs and workers' competences, and proposing a set of actions. From the transference of this method it emerges two tools which integrate the second sub-package we have mentioned: i) a Manual (LET'S ADAPT) for a better adaptation between firm-position-worker; (ii) and, in relation to the previous, an innovative e-learning material for the formation of "ADAPTATION Agents".

These two tools will be completed with others which integrate the first sub-package of tools: (iii) a Guide for the creation and dynamisation of Expert Partnerships for VET; (ii) a Procedure for the analysis and evaluation of the components defining a quality VET; (iii) a Dynamic VET Resources' Database. All these tools will integrate the "Tools' Pack for an efficient match between firms' demands, VET offer and human capital capacities". These tools can be used individually, several, or all of them, depending on the needs, resources and capacities of the stakeholders and territories willing to apply it.

The added value of the products proposed in this project is two-fold: (i) its capacity to allow the observation of reality and assess more efficient decision-making in relation to VET design from a strategic, integrated and territorial point of view. (ii) The development and transference to different EU contexts of a highly innovative tool (LET'S ADAPT!) for a better adaptation between firm-work position-worker.

The creation of a partnership will ensure the implication and commitments of main economic and social actors in VET. The implementation of any, several or the whole pack of tools may contribute to improving awareness and commitment among firms and workers about the strategic value of lifelong learning and VET; provide decision-makers with information to increase VET quality; and make VET information more accessible to final users.

A fundamental component of the project's success is the consortium, integrated by partners with different profiles, i.e. local authorities, university, chamber of commerce, regional employment agency, VET provider non-profit organisations, that will facilitated a good integration and sharing of the project's tasks.

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